Equipment
Q&A: IonLoop co-founders Bob and Melissa Gotfredson
If you’ve ever wondered about the rubber bracelets world No. 1 Rory McIlroy wears on his right wrist, you can stop now. Bob Gotfredson, founder of IonLoop told me:
[quote_box_center]Rory McIlroy wears the Ion Thins. He wears a David Yurman bracelet, and he puts our Thins on either side of it. We don’t have any kind of agreement with Rory, he just likes our product.[/quote_box_center]
It’s a ringing endorsement for the five-year old brand, which Gotfredson—a co-founder of Trion-Z—started with his wife Melissa five years ago out of a desire for a U.S.-based and focused ion technology company.
I spoke with the pair about the company, its products, and what we can expect in the future.
How it started
Bob Gotfredson: We started this company because we’re entrepreneurs, and we wanted a U.S.-owned company.
IonLoop vs. the competitors
BG: The biggest difference is a design philosophy. The Trion-Z product is designed and developed in Osaka for the U.S. market as well as Japan. Our products are designed and developed here in Texas for the U.S. market. The technology is similar, but it just comes down to: It’s got to be fashionable … as well as functional. I think we bring a different fashion viewpoint.
We’ve developed bracelets for Adidas globally, and also TaylorMade and Adams. We do a lot of corporate business, and we have a very active web presence.
Best-selling items
BG: Original IonLoop bracelet: Silicon band with two magnets. It was the original bracelet we started with and it remains very popular. I think our most popular bracelet is the braided black. It’s a silicone bracelet that looks like a braided bracelet, but it has the durability that you can wear it in the water.
Newest items
BG: We have Ion Thins, which are just small, thin negative ion bands with no magnets that you can mix and match. Those come in 14 colors. You can pick out your four favorite colors to match your team or country. They’re very comfortable to wear. People wear them with other bracelets as well.
The biggest step we made outside of the bracelet area was the Ion Time watches, which just have been really well received.
Melissa Gotfredson: They’re silicon with infused tourmaline in the backplate, and we are patent pending on that technology. We’re excited about that. We’re the only ones who have a watch that offers that technology. It’s a unisex watch. It’s very lightweight. And I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface with it.
BG: And it’s fashionable. Comes in five colors. We’ve been advertising on Morning Drive and have had great response on the watch.
This past week we introduced leather bracelets, which have negative ions and a magnet clasp. The negative ions … are infused in the band. It’s an eight-strand leather design. Most leather bracelets in the market place are four-strand. And they’re thicker and kind of bulky. This is a fine gauge bracelet that looks like it might cost $200. We retail them for $45. Again, a fashion element using our technology.
Negative ion technology
BG: Negative ions are found in nature as well as positive ions. Positive ions are the bad ions, so it’s counter-intuitive. Positive ions come from the sun in the form of UV rays and they fatigue your body.
A number of years ago in Japan, golfers found that if they wore negative ion bracelets …they would have more energy and focus as they turned the back nine after being out in the sun all day. So they became popular in that marketplace and transitioned over to the rest of the world.
What’s also interesting is that negative ions counteract the effects of positive ions that come out of your computer screen. If you’re in front of a computer screen, you’re getting bombarded … sitting in front of that thing all day just fatigues the hell out of you.
Hewlett-Packard, in England, is doing a great deal of research into trying to find a way to block the positive ions from these computer screens. They haven’t come up with it yet, and until they do, everybody at a computer should have something on that produces negative ions. Cell phones, computers, anything electronic is giving off positive ions.
Why not?
BG: Really, when you think about it, for $20 or $45 on the leather bracelet, they look good anyway. Hundreds of millions of people wear bracelets. The bracelet business in the U.S. is estimated to be $400 million a year.
So, there are a lot of bracelets out there…the ones that have technology, why not try them? It’s a small investment and it might be helpful. They really don’t wear out either. The magnets don’t wear out. We’re coming on six years here and the original bracelets are still running at about 90 percent output.
On Tour
BG: We do not have endorsement deals with any players on the PGA Tour because they like to wear our bracelets anyway. The TaylorMade bracelets are in the tour trailer every week.
Zach Johnson, we were involved with him and his charity, so he wears our bracelets from time to time. Ryan Palmer wears them every week. Butch Harmon, we sent him some of our leather bracelets and he loved them. Lexi Thompson loves the bracelets.
We do them for the U.S. Open every year and they go in the players’ bags and the wives’ gift bags. We do them at the PGA Championship as well.
What’s next
BG: From a bracelet standpoint, we’re going to continue to innovate and come up with new and unique products similar to the leather bracelet. We’re going to have some more watch offerings coming out in 2015.
We’re always developing new products. There’s three or four new bracelets that are in the works. We’re constantly looking to innovate.
You can check out IonLoop’s website here.
This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.
Joel Thelen
Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.
First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.
Mitchell Meissner
Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX
Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.
@Lamosteve began:
Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine
Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
- JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
- jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”
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Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
Asterisk Talley WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Brianna Do WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
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Aexis
Nov 6, 2016 at 5:35 pm
Found this IONTIME.COM
George
Mar 6, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Magnet therapy has been around for many decades. The people leaving negative comments need to do some research instead of giving uninformed bias opinions. Even the FDA has acknowledged the benefits of magnet therapy. Two recent devices approved by the FDA that use magnetic therapy for health.
http://www.fastcompany.com/3004658/fda-approves-magnetic-helmet-treating-depression
http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20131215/fda-approves-new-magnet-device-to-treat-migraines
TS
Feb 1, 2015 at 10:38 am
Lydia Ko just became the youngest woman ever on LPGA to be #1 in the world…no articles on that, but hey we’ve got this.
Bob
Jan 31, 2015 at 2:52 pm
GolfWRX, sponsored by SnakeOil Co.
Rodger Maltbee
Jan 30, 2015 at 7:42 pm
I think urine has negative ions in it. Peeing on yourself is more effective at battling positive ions than this product.
SM
Jan 30, 2015 at 2:59 am
Copy, copy copy. All these monkeys can do is copy the amazing stuff that comes out of Japan, as usual.
Marc
Jan 30, 2015 at 12:33 am
GolfWRX should be ashamed for their part in promoting trash like this. You just spent some goodwill earned from your readers. Seriously,Mifsud you continue down this path, you’re going to damage your credibility and reputation. Wake up and make good decisions, people.
Rodders
Jan 29, 2015 at 2:25 pm
So a mum and dad company headed by Bob and Melissa can discover how to counteract these positive ions but Hewellet-Packard can’t. Right, that makes sense.
Why don’t hp stick half a dozen of these bracelets to the screens then?
The only positive thing these bracelets destroy is your bank balance!
Shame golfwrx.
Zac
Jan 29, 2015 at 1:01 pm
GolfWRX has really hit a new low now, shilling for companies that engage in blatant misleading claims. I’m actually shocked the scam artists purveying this junk aren’t afraid of suffering the same legal fate as PowerBalance, who had to write an apology letter in Austrailia that read:
In our advertising we stated that Power Balance wristbands improved your strength, balance and flexibility.
We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims and therefore we engaged in misleading conduct in breach of s52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
If you feel you have been misled by our promotions, we wish to unreservedly apologise and offer a full refund.
If people actually “swear by these items” claiming some kind of “benefit”, they need to be openly mocked so as to prevent the proliferation of this age-old scam.
ParHunter
Jan 29, 2015 at 12:41 pm
If this isn’t a paid for article then I don’t know. The article should have a big ‘Advertisement’ sign at the top. What’s the next article, Voodoo dolls for golf?
ER
Jan 29, 2015 at 12:39 pm
What a terrible interview. Go ahead and don’t ask real questions. This company, like all other predecessors, is selling snake oil. Shame on GolfWRX for giving a sham company publicity.
Alex
Jan 29, 2015 at 12:32 pm
These companies get sued into bankruptcy whenever they get big enough to attract attention in the first place. (see, e.g., Power Balance, Q-whatever, http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/balance_bracelet_settlement.html)
As stated previously, there’s no evidence that this stuff has any benefit beyond a potential placebo effect. Your site’s representations to the contrary (“IonLoop products allow you to enjoy all the natural benefits of magnets and negative ions: quicker sports recovery, better sleep, stress management, natural energy, better concentration and focus, less stiffness and soreness…more!”), even coupled with poorly worded disclaimers about the “user experience” open you up to liability for deceptive advertising charges.
Scientist Golfer
Jan 29, 2015 at 11:57 am
Please listen to frendy. Many people swear by these bracelets but there is no, I repeat NO (NADA, ZILCH, ZIP), scientific evidence suggesting that these things actually do anything. If they “work” for you it’s entirely due to the placebo effect.
If you are going to wear these things, do it because they look cool, not because of their effect.
frendy
Jan 29, 2015 at 2:39 pm
Yes and no. Sure, there is no evidence to back up the claims of these wonder bracelets, but let’s not discount the placebo effect. What people think about the potential benefits/medicinal properties of accessories like these can have a marked effect on how they physically feel, and therefore *potentially* how they might play golf.
So I say if you feel like these things are helping you feel better, by all means wear them. However, don’t make the claim that they are anything else than mind-body woo woo.
ca1879
Feb 2, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Ben – you’ve really dragged your credibility through the dirt with this one. Hope you’re proud of shilling for such a transparent pile of nonsense.
Jafar
Jan 29, 2015 at 11:15 am
There are ions out to get you.
frendy
Jan 29, 2015 at 10:47 am
Placebo effect very strong here. If that works for ya, great, but let’s not pretend that these bracelets and watches do anything more than look nice.